The Florida FAFSA Challenge

[Pages:16]The Florida FAFSA Challenge

2017-18 FAFSA Completion Toolkit

Table of Contents

Dear Reader

1

About Florida College Access Network

2

Florida Students are Losing Money

3

Winning the FAFSA Challenge

4

Meeting Your FAFSA Completion Goal

5

Hosting a FAFSA Completion Event

6

Promoting Your FAFSA Event

7

FAFSA Information Resources

8

Event Planning and Handouts

9

Training For Counselors/Access Professionals

10

Working With Special Populations

11

Office of Federal Student Aid Social Media

12

Data and Research

13

FAFSA Contacts at FCAN

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Dear Reader,

On behalf of Florida College Access Network, thank you

for participating in the 2017 - 18 Florida FAFSA Challenge! This initiative aims to increase the proportion of Florida high school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must complete this application to qualify for financial aid, like Pell Grants, to help pay for college. The Florida FAFSA Challenge encourages schools, districts, and communities to set bold and attainable FAFSA completion goals and to implement strategies that help more students afford college. Many communities in the state have already been working hard to boost FAFSA completion rates. This initiative recognizes their achievements and supports their efforts with access to resources and proven strategies. This guide introduces the campaign and provides a one-stop shop for FAFSA resources. We also ask that you share your successful strategies with us. We may even feature your achievements throughout the campaign! Contact our Statewide Programs Coordinator, Amy Bolick, at abolick@ or at (813) 974-6429 with questions and suggestions.

FCAN thanks the Helios Education Foundation and the Swift Family Foundation for their generous support of the Florida FAFSA Challenge.

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About Florida College Access Network

Florida College Access Network (FCAN) is a statewide network

of leaders, organizations, educators, and individuals who are collectively committed to dramatically increasing postsecondary opportunities for all Florida students--especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, such as low income students and those who are the first in their families to go to college. Our Mission: To create and strengthen a statewide network that catalyzes and supports communities to improve college and career readiness, access, and completion for all students. Our Vision: At least 60% of working-age Floridians will hold a high-quality post-secondary degree or credential by the year 2025. Our Guiding Values:

? College is postsecondary education. Florida College Access Network uses the term "college" to refer to the attainment of high-quality postsecondary credentials beyond high school, including technical certificates and academic degrees.

? College readiness is career readiness. All Florida students deserve to receive a highquality Pre K-12 education which prepares them academically for success in college or a career.

? College is for everyone. All Florida students deserve the opportunity to pursue a high-quality postsecondary education that prepares them to effectively communicate, engage, and compete in the 21st century knowledge-based global economy.

? College is a public good. Postsecondary educational opportunity and attainment are critical to a just and equitable society, strong democracy, robust economy, and healthy communities.

? Reaching Goal 2025 will require collective action. Accelerating high-quality degree production in Florida to meet Goal 2025 requires strategic partnerships and active involvement from all sectors.

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Florida Students are Losing Money

Florida Lags in FAFSA Completion

? According to FCAN estimates, high school graduates in Florida leave behind over $100 million in Pell Grants each year because they do not complete the form.

? An estimated 59% of all Florida high school seniors would have qualified for Pell Grants, the 4th highest in the nation.

Completing the FAFSA is the first step to accessing financial aid for college.

FCAN research shows that FAFSA completion is a strong indicator of future college attendance.

? Despite its high number of Pell-eligible students, Florida ranks 34th in the nation for FAFSA completion.

Taking on the Challenge

? In 2015, FCAN introduced the Florida FAFSA Challenge as an effort to boost statewide FAFSA completion rate.

? Schools and communities participating in the challenge adopt the goal of increasing FAFSA completion by at least 5% over the previous year.

? In the 2016-17 school year, 391 schools in 54 districts met or exceeded the 5% increase goal.

FAFSA Challenge Outcomes ? 2017 Statewide FAFSA Completion:

34% ? 2016 Statewide FAFSA Completion:

25% ? Additional Pell Dollars Accessed:

$37 million

FAFSA Challenge Participation ? 2017-18: 290 schools in 37 counties ? 2016-17: 153 schools in 17 counties ? 2015-16: 50 schools in 14 counties

Register Today

? Schools, districts, LCANS, and community organizations can register as participants in the Florida FAFSA Challenge.

? Registrants get access to free resources and promotional materials, as well as email updates.

? Registering helps FCAN track the progress of the Florida FAFSA Challenge and grow the initiative.

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Winning the FAFSA Challenge

Winner's Categories

? MVP: Schools and districts with the highest overall rates of FAFSA completion.

? Most Improved: Schools and districts that have the highest increase in FAFSA completion over the previous year.

? 50/50 Club: Schools with 50% or more students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch and who reach 50% FAFSA completion by the end of the challenge.

? FAFSA Champions: All schools and districts that achieve 5% or more increase in FAFSA completion by the end of the challenge.

Why the March End Date?

? While students can complete the FAFSA through the year, the Florida FAFSA Challenge ends in March to encourage early completion.

? Since financial aid is distributed on a firstcome first-served basis, students who complete the FAFSA early are more likely to receive the full amount of aid they are eligible for.

? Students who complete the FAFSA early can receive up to twice the amount of state and institutional aid as those who complete it later.

? Additionally, many institutions also have earlier deadlines for distributing institutional aid.

2017-18 FAFSA Challenge Dates October 1, 2017: Challenge Begins March 31, 2018: Challenge Ends May 11, 2018: Awards Luncheon

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Meeting Your FAFSA Completion Goal

Tips for Setting a FAFSA Goal

? Make your goal ambitious but attainable. FCAN recommends a 5% increase goal.

? If your community has a Local College Access Network (LCAN), work with them to set a community-wide goal.

? Make your goal public! Share your goal with your school and community to build excitement.

Tracking Your Goal

? The Florida FAFSA Challenge Data Dashboard allows schools and communities to track their FAFSA completion rates in real time.

? FCAN's dashboard includes FAFSA completion data for 12th graders at over 500 schools across the state of Florida.

? New: Thanks to FCAN's advocacy with the Department of Education, the dashboard now includes data for high school seniors up to age 19.

Accessing Student-Level Data

? The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance (OFSA) is working with school districts to make student-level FAFSA completion data available to schools.

? Knowing which of your students have completed the FAFSA can help you identify and reach out to students who may need extra help.

? Student-level data will also show whether a student has a complete FAFSA or a FAFSA that is submitted their FAFSA with errors.

? For more information on how school districts can have access to this data, contact Jan Smith, OFSA Director of Outreach, at jan.smith@.

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Hosting a FAFSA Completion Event

Types of FAFSA Events

? FAFSA Information Night: Cover basic financial aid information and familiarize parents and students with the FAFSA.

? FAFSA Lab: Provide students and parents the opportunity to complete the FAFSA with the assistance of knowledgeable volunteers.

? Multi-Purpose Events: Include FAFSA completion information in other events like a college application drive, back to school night, etc.

Tips for a Successful Event

? Target students whose grades and course history indicate college readiness, and personally invite them and their parents to FAFSA events.

? Serve food or refreshments at after-school events.

? Work with partners at your school to raffle off year books or prom tickets to students who complete their FAFSA to encourage participation.

? Note: Designate alternate activities, like applying for scholarships, for students who are not eligible to complete a FAFSA.

Contact FCAN for Additional Support

? Promotional materials like stickers and posters for events

? Facilitating conversations with LCANs

? Technical support with the FAFSA Challenge Dashboard

Community Partners

? Local College Access Networks (LCANs): Last year, communities served by an LCAN saw FAFSA completion rates 12.5% higher than those without one.

? Area Colleges and Universities: Financial aid representatives can volunteer at or help host FAFSA events.

? Local Businesses can donate food and prizes or provide volunteers.

? Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OFSA): OFSA's Speakers Bureau can connect your school with a financial aid expert for your FAFSA information night. Contact Jan Smith at jan.smith@ for more information.

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